Japanese scientist Obokata to retract stem cell papers

TOKYO--A Japanese stem cell scientist accused of fabricating research has agreed to retract papers published in the respected journal Nature, an official said Wednesday.

Haruko Obokata, 30, would withdraw two papers at the centre of the controversy, according to a spokeswoman for Riken, the respected research institute that sponsored the study, marking a steep fall from grace for the young researcher.

"We confirmed that she agreed to retract both articles," the spokeswoman said.

She added that Riken was "still discussing" a retraction with co-author Charles Vacanti of Harvard.